Australia has barred New Zealand apples since 1921 after fire blight was found in them.
New Zealand exports about $NZ300 million ($A261.5 million) of apples a year and trade with Australia could initially be worth $NZ9 million. It has been lobbying to have the ban lifted since 1986, based on its assertion commercially traded apples do not carry fire blight.
"Eighty-six years seems enough for New Zealand to wait for access to the Australian market for New Zealand apples. We believe science is on our side, and we believe we will win this case."
Fire blight is a bacterial disease that attacks apple and pear trees as well as rosebushes, giving branches and blossoms a burnt appearance. It can stop fruit from growing and in severe cases can kill the tree.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
New Zealand Spits Pips over 86 Year Old Apple Ban
Fresh from defending the Banana Barons from cheap Philippine imports, the Australian Government is facing a new front in the Fruit Wars, this time with New Zealand.
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2 comments:
Thin edge of the wedge, Colin.
Rotten apple core more like Sir James Whatsyournameagain!
I was listening on the radio this morning and apparently they let a few in last year. The local growers here in South Australia spoke like it was the plague and that everyone would die if the apples would be let in. Protectionism is a terrible thing.
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